Golfer{40 s head movement indicator

ABSTRACT

A golf training device which will enable any undesirable head movement of a player during a golf swing to be rendered selfdetecting. This is attained by a flexible cord having one end attached to the golfer and the other end releasably connected to the ball so as to effect either a positive displacement of the golf ball prior to contact being made with the club whenever the golfer incurs excessive head movement during a golf swing to induce mis-stroke, or an excessive accumulation of slack in the string in the event of excessive dip of shoulders and/or head, and whereby in the absence of any excessive head movement, contact may be had between the club and the ball which will permit the ball to be readily released from the cord and to assume its normal flight. The cord is wound about a reel which is attached to a head piece worn by the golfer whereby the length of the cord can be varied to suit a given player. The free end of the cord is provided with a fastener which is contoured to complement an outer peripheral portion of a golf ball and which is releasably secured to the golf ball by an adhesive.

United States Patent [1 1 Hines et al.

[75] Inventors: Benjamin M. Hines, Fairfield; Richard I. Johnson,Easton, both of Conn.

[73] Assignee: Timely Products Corporation, Fairfield, Conn.

[22] Filed: Nov. 26, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 202,123

[52] U.S. Cl. ..273/l83 B, 2/199 [51 Int. Cl. ..A63b 69/36 [58] Field ofSearch ..273/58, 200, 190,

273/183, DIG. 21; 2/185 R, 199

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 17,630 (1/1912 Great Britain .273/190 B PrimaryExaminerGeorge J. Marlo Attorney-Arthur T. Fattibene [5 7 ABSTRACT Agolf training device which will enable any undesirable head movement ofa player during a golf swing to be rendered self-detecting. This isattained by a flexible cord having one end attached to the golfer andthe other end releasably connected to the ball so as to effect either apositive displacement of the golf ball prior to contact being made withthe club whenever the golfer incurs excessive head movement during agolf swing to induce mis-stroke, or an excessive accumulation of slackin the string in the event of excessive dip of shoulders and/or head,and whereby in the absence of any excessive head movement, contact maybe had between the club and the ball which will permit the ball to bereadily released from the cord and to assume its normal flight.

The cord is wound about a reel which is attached to a head piece worn bythe golfer whereby the length of the cord can be varied to suit a givenplayer. The free end of the cord is provided with a fastener which iscontoured to complement an outer peripheral portion of a golf ball andwhich is releasably secured to the golf ball by anadhesive.

11 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Patented April 24,1973 3,729,200 f 2Sheets-Sheet l BENJA M/N M. EYE/E? BY R CHA-RD L.JOH NSON ATTORNEYPatented April 24, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BENJAMIN IWfiF/I/E BY RICHARD LJOHNSON 4 ATiRNEY GOLFER'S HEAD MOVEMENT INDICATOR v PROBLEM AND PRIORART It is well known that in the game of golf, proper form during a golfswing is extremely important in maintaining and/or improving ones skillin the game. This is because a proper stance and form has an importantbearing on the distance and/or accuracy of the flight of the ball uponcontact being made between the club and the ball. One of the moreimportant factors in determining proper form is the ability to maintainthe position of the head over the ball which permits a player to keephis eye on the ball throughout the golf swing. It has been establishedthat excessive head movement, either forward or backward, or upwardly ordownwardly during a golf swing will frequently result in the club headnot making proper contact with the ball; or if contact is made, thedesired optimum amount of impact is not properly attained.

Such undesirable head movements during a golf swing are one of the mostdifficult problems on the part of the golfer to notice and/or tocorrect. This is because the amount of un-desirable head movement isdifficult for the player to detect, and/or when detected is difficult toovercome. Generally one had to be observed by or taught by an expert inorder to have detected and/or to correct such head movements.Instructions, under the tutorage of a golf pro, are costly, which costcan be materially reduced if a proper aid were available to supplementsuch professional instructions.

Consequently many efforts have been made to develop various devices todetect such undesirable head movements during a golf swing, and toafford a manner to overcome such problem. Such efforts have been notedin U. S. Pat. Nos. 1,569,766; 1,688,023, 2,445,839 and 3,545,764.

Heretofore the prior known devices which have been conceived and/or madeknown to overcome the problem of detecting head movements during a golfswing relied primarily on the use of relatively complex mechanisms whichwere designed to sound an alarm when a players head movement wasdetected. However, these devices were relatively complex, bulky, heavyand generally not practical for use during a practice round on a golfcourse. For this reason the prior known devices were usually related toprivate practice sessions off the golf course. Also such prior knowndevices, for the most part were relatively costly, difficult tomanufacture, and generally unsuitable for the majority of golfers intenton gaining and/or enhancing their proficiency of the game.

OBJECTS It is therefore an object of this invention to provide arelatively simple golf practice device whereby undesirable headmovements on the part of the player can be rendered self-detecting.

It is another object of this invention to provide a relaments during agolf swing whereby improper contact is had with the ball whenever agolfer incurs excessive head movement and whereby proper contact may behad with the ball in the absence of any excessive head movement.

Another object of this invention is to provide a golf training devicewhich is relatively simple in construction, and which can be effectivelyutilized by the golfer for practice indoors or outdoors.

The foregoing objects and other features and advantages of thisinvention are attained by a golf training device comprising a length offlexible cord which is adapted to be connected at one end to the head ofa golfer or to a headpiece or hat worn by the golfer, and which hasconnected to the other end thereof a fastening means by which the cordis releasably connected to the golf ball. With the fastening meansreleasably secured to the ball, the arrangement is such that certainexcessive movements of the head by the player during a golf swing willcause the golf ball to be pulled off the tee or physically displaced anamount sufficient to result in a mis-stroke. When such mis-strokeoccurs, the golfer will know that he incurred excessive head movementduring the swing. Other types of head movements, e.g., dip headmovement, may result in excessive accumulation in slack in the string asan indication thereof. Accordingly, in the absence of any such excessivemovement during a golf swing, the attitude of the string evidenced andcontact by the club head with the ball will result in the ball beingreleased from the fastening means to assume its normal trajectory.

To effect adjustment in the length of the cord to compensate for playersof different heights, and/or when a player utilizes clubs of varyinglength, a reel is provided whereby the cord may be wound and unwoundthereon to adjust the length thereof accordingly. It is contemplatedthat the reel may be suitably secured to a headpiece or hat which may besupplied therewith, or may be suitably attached to a players personalgolfing hat or headpiece.

FEATURES rendered evident by an excessive accumulation of slack in thestring.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision that theamount or degree of head movement can be readily ascertained as theamount or extent that a ball is displaced or accumulation of slack isproportional to the amount of excessive movement of the head incurredduring a golf swing.

Another feature of this device resides in the provision wherein the ballis releasably secured to the golf training device so that in the absenceof any head movement, proper contact with the ball is had in which theball assumes its normal flight.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision that it isrelatively simple in construction, can be readily fabricated and ispositive in operation.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent whenconsidered in view of the drawings in which: I

FIG. 1 illustrates the golf training device embodying the presentinvention as applied to a golfer for detecting head movement during agolf swing.

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view illustrating the manner in whichthe device is secured to a headpiece.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail drawing illustrating the manner in whichthe golf ball is detachably secured to the training device.

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the detachable securing meansof FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of a modified form of detachingmeans and illustrating the manner in which the same can be packaged.

FIG. 6 is a detailed construction illustrating the application of thedetachable means of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a modified manner of packaging anattaching adhesive in accordance with this invention.

. FIG. 8 is a modified form of the invention.

Referring to the drawings there is shown in FIG. 1 the improved golftraining device embodying the present invention for detecting anyundesirable or excessive head movements of the player during a golfswing. The device in accordance with this invention comprises a lengthof flexible cord 13, as for example, a string of generally conventionalconstruction or monofilament, to which there is connected at its freeend, a detachable fastening means 14 which is adapted to be releasablysecured to a golf ball 15. The other end of the cord is suitablyconnected to the head of the golfer or to the headpiece or cap 10 whichthe golfer may wear. It will be understood that while the headpiece isshown as a cap 10, any type of headpiece may be contemplated.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cord 13 is adapted to be wound andunwound about a reel 12 which is rotatably journalled on the peak 11 ofthe cap 10 about a pivot 17. By winding the string 13 about a reel 12,the length of the string can be readily adjusted simply by winding orunwinding the string on the reel as may be desired. The device is thusrendered readily adapted to players of varying height and/or the stringmay be adjusted to accommodate the various lengths of clubs which agolfer may use when practicing with the device either indoors oroutdoors. As best seen in FIG. 2, when the reel 12 is attached to thevisor portion 11 of a cap 10, a hole 11A is located in the visor portionadjacent the reel 12 through which the cord or string 13 may beextended.

In the illustrated form of the invention, the fastening means connectedto the free end of the cord or string 13 comprises a button which isprovided with a surface 14C which is preferably contoured or concaved tocomplement a spherical surface portion of the ball 15. The illustratedbutton 14 is also formed with a stem 14A having an aperture 14B formedin the end thereof through which the string 13 extends. The button 14 issuitably connected to the end of the string simply by providing a knot13A on the end of the string of a size which prohibits it from passingthrough the aperture 14B and thus prevents the string 13 from beingpulled through the aperture 143. The arrangement is such that the knot13A is accommodated within the bore portion of the stem 14A so as toprohibit interference with the attachment of the contoured surfaceportion 14C with the ball.

To detachably secure the fastening means or button 14 to the ball, thereis provided a means by which the ball 15 is releasably secured.Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 the detachable or releasable means comprisesa disk or strip of material in the form of a tape 18 which is preferablycoated on both sides with a layer of suitable adhesive 18A so that oneside of the tape 18 may be adhesively secured to the contoured surface14C of the button 14, and the other adhesive side being adhesivelysecured to the ball 15 whereby the ball can be readily released whenimpact is had between the club "and the ball. It will be understood thatthe ball may comprise a conventional type golf ball or may comprise thewell known type of hollow, practice, plastic ball.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a modified type of releasable means fordetachably securing the button 14 to a ball 15. As shown therein thereleasable means of FIGS. 4 and 5 may comprise a dot or piece of pliabletype of adhesive or gum 20 which may be suitably packaged or sandwichedbetween a strip of releasable paper backing 21. In this form of theinvention, the player on peeling back the releasable paper 21 canreadily remove a dot or spot of adhesive gum 20 from its package andapply the spot 20 to the contoured surface of the button 14. When theball is then pressed against the spot of adhesiv'e or gum, it is adheredthereto, in a readily releasable manner. In this manner a supply ofadhesive spots may be suitably marketed with the device as a kit so thata player-will have a supply of such adhesive means to use as needed. Asuitable adhesive 20 may comprise an acrylic compound having a highsolid content.

In operation, whether the ball 15 is resting on a tee 16, as indicatedin FIG 1, or lying on the ground, the cord 13 is extended between thehead of the golfer to the ball to a proper length so that the button issuitably adhered to the ball; it being understood that the adjustedlength of the string will be such that the golfer may assume his normalstance over the ball. With the string 13 properly adjusted, thearrangement is such that an excessive head movement incurred during thegolf swing will either cause the string and fastener secured to the ballto effect a displacement or to pull the ball off the golf tee or out ofthe path of the swing of the golf club to result in a mis-stroke or animproperly hit ball or to impart excessive slack in the string, i.e., inthe case of excessive head or shoulder dip. Consequently, every timesuch mis-stroke is effected, or slack accumulated, the golfer knows thathe had incurred an excessive or improper movement of his head during thegolf swing. In the absence of any excessive head movement, the ball ismaintained in position on the tee or on the ground whereby optimumcontact is imparted to the ball by the club. Upon contact with the golfclub, the ball is released from the button 14 and permitted to assumeits normal trajectory.

FIG. 7 illustrates a modified manner in which the adhesive gum or latex20 may be packaged. In this form of the invention, a plurality of gumspots 20 are spaced on a suitable backing sheet 21A; from which theadhesive spot may be readily removed. A covering piece of material 21Bsomewhat larger than the area of the adhesive 20' is supported thereonso that the adhesive material 20 is sandwiched between the backing sheet21A and the cover piece 218.

In operation, the cover piece of material 218 functions as a fingerpiece whereby the adhesive spot 20 can be readily peeled off the backingstrip; and thereafter applied to the contoured surface 14C of the button14. With the exposed surface of the adhesive applied to the contouredsurface of the button 14, the finger or cover piece of material 21B isthen readily stripped from the adhesive 20 so that the ball can bereadily attached to the button. With the packaging of the adhesive spots20 as described with respect to FIG. 7, a golfer can effect anapplication of the adhesive to the button 14, without the need of comingin contact with the adhesive. Also the packaging of FIG. 7 enables theadhesive material 20 to be protected at all times and prohibits therespective spots 20 from adhering to one another. The backing sheet 21Amay be rolled, folded or layed one on the other without the adhesivespots 20 thereon adhering to one another.

FIG. 8 illustrates a modified embodiment of the invention. In this formthe invention may be readily adapted to a conventional cap or hat 10Awhich a golfer owns or prefers. This is attained by providing a holdingmeans or spring clip 30 which may be frictionally secured to the cap10A, e.g. by embracing the visor portion thereof. The spring clip 30 isillustrated as being generally U-shaped and adapted to be spring pressedinto frictional holding relationship with the cap 10A.

A reel 12A is rotatably journalled or otherwise fixed to the clip 30about which the string or cord 13 may be wound or unwound to adjust thelength as hereinbefore described.

The embodiment of FIG. 8 thus enables the inventions to be applied to agolfers personal cap. In all other respects the operation and structureof the embodiment of FIG. 8 is similar to that hereinbefore described.

From the foregoing it will be noted that the golf training devicedescribed is a relatively simple construction and can be readily adaptedto ones favorite headpiece and/or may be manufactured and distributed incombination with a headpiece 10 specifically constructed therefor. Thedevice is sufficiently simple and practical so that, if desired, agolfer may use it during an actual practice play of the game of golfand/or may resort to the use of the device in private practice seeions,as for example, in ones backyard, on a driving range, or even indoors.

While the fastening means 14 has been illustrated as comprising of afastening button by which attachment is achieved through the means oftape adhesively coated on both sides or a spot of adhesive material, itwill be understood that other forms of releasable fastening means may beprovided. For example, if desired, the fastening means may comprise ofcomplementary releasable pile construction, commonly known as Velcro.With such material, a piece of Velcro" may be secured to the end of thestring, and a complementary piece of Velcro attached to the golf ball.

Other types of fastening means may comprise a pin or tack connected tothe string which may be releasably secured to a golf ball.

It will be understood by those who play the game, that the device hereindescribed is recommended for improving ones form, and is not intendedfor use during professional play of the game, or under organized rulesof play which prohibit the use of golfing aids.

- While the present invention has been disclosed with respect to certainembodiments thereof, it will be readily appreciated and understood thatvariations and modifications may be made without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A golfing device for rendering undesirable head movementsself-detecting during a golf swing comprismg:

a headpiece adapted to be worn by a golfer,

a flexible cord connected to said headpiece and having a length at leastextending from the headpiece to a golf ball to be hit by the swing of aclub,

a fastener connected to the free end of the cord,

said fastener including a button having a contoured surface adapted tocomplement an outer peripheral portion of the golf ball,

and an adhesive means supplied to said contoured surface of said buttonfor releasably attaching said button to said golf ball permitting thegolf ball to assume free flight upon being hit.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 and including a reel rotatablyjournalled to said headpiece for reeling and unreeling said cord thereonfor adjusting said cord to a desired length.

3. A golfing device for rendering undesirable head movementsself-detecting during a golf swing comprisa headpiece adapted to be wornby a golfer,

said headpiece comprising a hat havinga connected visor,

a reel rotatably mounted on said visor,

a length of cord wound about said reel whereby said cord may be woundand unwound thereon to adjust the length thereof to extend from saidheadpiece wom by a particular golfer to a golf ball to be hit by theswing of the club, by the particular golfer,

a fastener connected to the free end of said cord,

said fastener including a button having a contoured surface adapted tocomplement a portion of the spherical surface of the golf ball,

and an adhesive means applied to the contoured surface of said buttonwhereby said button is releasably secured to said golf ball so the golfball is released when hit.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 and including a clip connected tosaid reel whereby said reel is detachably connected to said headpiece.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said headpiece includes ahat having a visor,

and said clip detachably securing said reel to said visor.

6. The invention as defined in claim 3 and said button including:

a stem portion having an aperture formed in the end thereof connected tosaid surface, and

said string being adapted to extend through said stern and apertureformed therein.

to be readily applied to said fastening means as needed. 10. Theinvention as defined in claim 9 wherein said adhesive means includes aplurality of tape strips adhesively coated on both sides.

11. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said adhesive meansincludes a plurality of gum spots releasably attached to a strip ofbacking paper.

1. A golfing device for rendering undesirable head movementsself-detecting during a golf swing comprising: a headpiece adapted to beworn by a golfer, a flexible cord connected to said headpiece and havinga length at least extending from the headpiece to a golf ball to be hitby the swing of a club, a fastener connected to the free end of thecord, said fastener including a button having a contoured surfaceadapted to complement an outer peripheral portion of the golf ball, andan adhesive means supplied to said contoured surface of said button forreleasably attaching said button to said golf ball permitting the golfball to assume free flight upon being hit.
 2. The invention as definedin claim 1 and including a reel rotatably journalled to said headpiecefor reeling and unreeling said cord thereon for adjusting said cord to adesired length.
 3. A golfing device for rendering undesirable headmovements self-detecting during a golf swing comprising, a headpieceadapted to be worn by a golfer, said headpiece comprising a hat having aconnected visor, a reel rotatably mounted on said visor, a length ofcord wound about said rEel whereby said cord may be wound and unwoundthereon to adjust the length thereof to extend from said headpiece wornby a particular golfer to a golf ball to be hit by the swing of theclub, by the particular golfer, a fastener connected to the free end ofsaid cord, said fastener including a button having a contoured surfaceadapted to complement a portion of the spherical surface of the golfball, and an adhesive means applied to the contoured surface of saidbutton whereby said button is releasably secured to said golf ball sothe golf ball is released when hit.
 4. The invention as defined in claim3 and including a clip connected to said reel whereby said reel isdetachably connected to said headpiece.
 5. The invention as defined inclaim 4 wherein said headpiece includes a hat having a visor, and saidclip detachably securing said reel to said visor.
 6. The invention asdefined in claim 3 and said button including: a stem portion having anaperture formed in the end thereof connected to said surface, and saidstring being adapted to extend through said stem and aperture formedtherein.
 7. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said adhesivemeans includes a strip of material adhesively coated on both sides foradherence to both the contoured surface and the ball.
 8. The inventionas defined in claim 3 wherein said adhesive means includes a spot ofadhesive gum adapted to be placed on said contoured surface.
 9. Theinvention as defined in claim 3 wherein said adhesive means includes asupply of adhesive adapted to be readily applied to said fastening meansas needed.
 10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said adhesivemeans includes a plurality of tape strips adhesively coated on bothsides.
 11. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said adhesivemeans includes a plurality of gum spots releasably attached to a stripof backing paper.